Nigeria has recorded 747 Lassa fever cases and 142 deaths across 18 states.
With the fatality rate rising, health officials are raising public awareness to curb the outbreak.
The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) has confirmed a total of 747 cases of Lassa fever across 18 states, resulting in 142 deaths as of epidemiological week 22 in 2025. This was disclosed in the latest Lassa Fever Situation Report released by the agency.
The current Case Fatality Rate (CFR) stands at 19.0%, which is slightly higher compared to the same reporting period in 2024. The disease, which has long been endemic in Nigeria, continues to pose a significant public health threat despite a slight decline in the number of suspected cases compared to last year.
According to the weekly update, new confirmed cases rose from six in epidemiological week 21 to eight in week 22. The new infections were reported in Ondo, Bauchi, Edo, and Nasarawa states.
Alarmingly, 91% of all confirmed cases were reported from just five states: Ondo (31%), Bauchi (25%), Edo (16%), Taraba (16%), and Ebonyi (3%). This concentration suggests a need for targeted intervention in these high-burden areas.
The report also highlighted demographic data, showing that the most affected age group falls within 21–30 years, with a median age of 30. Additionally, the male-to-female ratio for confirmed infections was reported as 1:0.8, indicating a slightly higher incidence among men.
While there has been a slight reduction in both suspected and confirmed cases this year, the NCDC stressed that it is not letting down its guard. The agency reaffirmed its commitment to aggressive surveillance, response coordination, and public health awareness through its multi-sectoral Incident Management System (IMS).
In response to the ongoing outbreak, the NCDC has ramped up its efforts on multiple fronts. One of the key initiatives includes the deployment of 10 National Rapid Response Teams to affected states to support local control measures, using a One Health approach that integrates human, animal, and environmental health responses.
The agency also revealed that it has launched an Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) e-learning platform, powered by DRASA and funded by the Global Fund. This platform aims to improve the capacity of healthcare workers in preventing the spread of viral hemorrhagic fevers, including Lassa fever.
Additional interventions listed in the report include:
- Training of healthcare personnel on case management in Bauchi, Ebonyi, and Benue states with support from the World Health Organization (WHO).
- Dissemination of IPC guidelines to health facilities in collaboration with the Robert Koch Institute.
- Webinars and educational sessions on clinical management for medical practitioners.
- Support for the Orange Network and treatment centers to reduce hospital-acquired infections in highly affected local government areas.
The NCDC has also forecasted and quantified Medical Countermeasures (MCMs) and distributed critical response supplies such as PPE kits, Ribavirin, and body bags to states and treatment facilities.
Public awareness remains a key focus for the agency. The report emphasized the need for continued education and sensitization in communities, especially in states with high transmission rates. The public is urged to remain vigilant, avoid contact with rodents, maintain hygiene, and report symptoms early to healthcare authorities.
“We will continue to enhance surveillance, conduct contact tracing and active case finding, and provide support to affected states and communities,” the NCDC assured in the report.
As the country battles the Lassa fever outbreak, health authorities call on all Nigerians to adhere strictly to preventive measures and support government efforts in combating the spread of the disease.
